City Mayor Randy Carroll has announced his plans to run for re-election in November.

"First, I want to thank the citizens of the City of Shelbyville for allowing me to serve as your Mayor since December of 2022. It has been almost 4 years answering to your needs and moving our City forward. I am asking for your vote and your permission to allow me the honor of serving you for 4 more years."

Mayor Carroll said that as everyone knows, Shelbyville/middle Tennessee is experiencing rapid growth. Carroll said the City is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. He told the T-G the City needs to use strategic planning to serve existing citizens and to provide a place for new citizens.

"We need a safe and secure home for all of us for the future," said Carroll.

"After taking office in 2022, I learned of many areas of the City that deserved immediate attention. Our flood pumps were old and not working at full capacity. We have used American Recovery Grant funds to have new pumps built and hope to get them installed in the near future. Many state roads into the City needed repair and have been resurfaced to handle growing traffic needs. We have increased the budget in each of the last 3 years to resurface more of our City streets. New police vehicles have been purchased to upgrade patrol and reduce response time. Personal safety equipment for our police and fire responders as well as a $1.7 million dollar radio communications upgrade has been purchased."

Carroll advised that as the City grows, so does the garbage. The City provides pickup service to almost 9,000 businesses and residences each week. There's a contract with Bedford County for a new transfer station.

Public Works Department will no longer transport City refuge out of the City. This will be compacted and transported by a private company to an out of state facility, according to Carroll.

"Our Downtown area of Shelbyville has been revitalized through paving, lighting, kiosk, and signage. In 2024, the City of Shelbyville received the Downtown Revitalization award from the Tennessee Municipal League. Our staff has worked with our downtown merchants and the South Central Tennessee Development District on facade grants. Buildings painted, frontage repaired, lighting, awnings, and other beautification have made our square a scenic location."

Carroll said he recommended to sell three deserted buildings on South Spring Street his first year in office. The City now has the total renovation and a thriving entertainment and dining area near South Spring Street. The street is now pedestrian only for our citizens.

"We will continue to work for the future on a Riverwalk to connect with South Spring Street, The Fly Arts Center, and the new parking area the City has paved with beautiful updated lighting for safety."

Shelbyville Municipal Airport now has a new neighbor under construction. The City had purchased 30+ acres the during the year 2022. There was no sewer, water, electricity, or tenant on the property. The City Council, Mayor, and staff worked tirelessly for almost a year to lease 20+ acres to middle Tennessee State University for the relocation of their Aerospace Facility to the Airport.

"The lease payments from MTSU will pay for the property and provide income for future projects," Carroll advised. "One day, airline and commercial pilots, airport managers, aircraft mechanics, will state they received their college degrees at the MTSU Shelbyville facility."

Carroll said another step the City has taken for the future is for the youth of the community. The Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department will now have a new addition. The Mayor and City Council applied for a $5 million-dollar 50/50 Grant to build our first Soccer Complex. The six field facility with pavilion and restroom facility is under construction at this moment. Paved Parking and additional improvements are also a part of this wonderful addition for the children of Shelbyville and Bedford County.

"I believe in wisdom, determination, and hard work. When we apply these to our service to God, our family, and our community we will be successful and satisfied."

Mayor ​Carroll is a native and life-long resident of Shelbyville/Bedford County. He attended elementary and high school in Shelbyville and graduated from Shelbyville Central in 1968. He holds honors degrees in both business administration from Motlow State Community College and in management/human relations from Trevecca Nazarene University.

Carroll volunteered for and served in the U. S. Navy (aviation) from 1968 through 1972, with one tour overseas aboard the USS Saratoga.

He worked in small business in Shelbyville for 8 years before joining Duck River Electric Membership Corporation, from which he retired after 31 years of service. Carroll has served on numerous boards and committees, both statewide and in the Tennessee Valley region.

Carroll has served the community as a member of the Arts Council, Friends of the Library, City Board of Zoning Appeals, and over 35 years with the Shelbyville Church of the Nazarene. He has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the Shelbyville Community Soup Kitchen. Being a lifelong resident, he said $5 million-dollar he "loves Shelbyville and wants Shelbyville to prosper."

Carroll has 3 adult children; all educated in Shelbyville and Bedford County. His daughter, Tonya Suzanne and husband Eric and children live in Madison, Ala. His son, Jeff, is an instructor at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and lives in Tullahoma. His son, Josh, works in Shelbyville and lives in Bedford County. He has 3 granddaughters, 3 grandsons, and 2 great grandsons.